The only way to update Flash in Windows 8 is through Windows Update. That means the job of making sure those updates get to users falls to Microsoft, which so far has not delivered.

A Microsoft spokesperson tells Webmonkey that the company is “working closely with Adobe to release an update for Adobe Flash in IE 10 to protect our mutual customers.” However, Adobe’s latest round of patches was released August 21 and there’s still been no update for IE 10 users. Microsoft says that the update will be available “shortly.”

The company also assures Webmonkey that this issue will be worked out before Windows 8 actually ships.

Part of the problem appears to simply be scheduling. Microsoft’s updates are generally released on the second Tuesday of each month, while Adobe typically patches Flash a week or two later. That window between updates is what currently leaves those testing Windows 8 vulnerable.

Microsoft tells Webmonkey that a plan is in the works to address the scheduling conflict and ensure that Windows 8 users don’t have a vulnerable version of Flash for two weeks every patch cycle. Microsoft didn’t offered any details beyond saying the company plans to “align our release schedule as closely to Adobe’s as possible.”

Here’s The Thing With Ad Blockers

We get it: Ads aren’t what you’re here for. But ads help us keep the lights on. So, add us to your ad blocker’s whitelist or pay $1 per week for an ad-free version of WIRED. Either way, you are supporting our journalism. We’d really appreciate it.